Associated PressLuis Castillo's game-losing dropped popup at Yankee Stadium was the lowlight of his tenure with the Mets.

The New York Mets released second baseman Luis Castillo today despite still owing him $6 million, cutting ties with a three-time All-Star linked to one of the most painful plays in team history.

Mets fans never forgave him for dropping a potential game-ending popup by Alex Rodriguez in 2009, a misplay that let the New York Yankees score two runs to win in the bottom of the ninth. Castillo was booed — a rarity in spring training — this week after he was slow to cover first base during an exhibition game.

The 35-year-old Castillo had lost a lot of range in recent years. The switch-hitter was among five candidates for the second base job this spring, a list that still includes Luis Hernandez, Daniel Murphy, Justin Turner and Brad Emaus.

“I think there were a variety” of reasons for the release, Alderson said. “Obviously, we wanted to see how he looked physically from an offensive standpoint, defensively. You know, I think Luis made a strong effort, but we just felt given our other options and where we are headed as an organization this was in our mutual interest.”

Castillo won three Gold Gloves, was a two-time NL stolen base champion and helped the 2003 Florida Marlins win the World Series. He is a career .290 hitter with 370 steals in 15 seasons with the Marlins, Minnesota and the Mets. He stole 62 bases in 84 tries in 2000; he was 8 for 11 last year.

Castillo was preparing for the final season of a four-year, $24 million contract. He batted .235 with no homers, only six extra-base hits and 17 RBIs in 247 at-bats last season before losing his starting spot to Ruben Tejada and Hernandez.

Earlier this week, new Mets manager Terry Collins said he needed to look past Castillo’s history with Mets fans while picking who would play second base.